Sports and Weddings Do Not Mix

When planning the date of your big day, you have to take a million details into account. Is the venue you want to hold your wedding at available? How many members of your friends and family can make the date? One of the last things you want to have to worry about is all of the other potential events going on that day. Most of the time, major events take place hundreds of miles away and will have little to no effect on planning your wedding. However, there are some events that are so big, you simply do not have the luxury to ignore them when selecting from possible 2017 wedding dates.

As one of the major forms of entertainment in the country, various sporting events pose such an obstacle. Of course, not all events are equally big, nor will they affect each region equally. That is why we have assembled a list of the biggest sporting events in the United States slated to occur in 2017. When picking out the perfect date for your big day, be sure to mark these on your calendar, or you wedding day may just turn into a red letter day.

2017 NHL Winter Classic – 1/2/2017

This is an annual hockey event that will not necessarily lock up many dates, places, or people from attending your wedding. It is what is considered a “regular season” game. The primary difference is that this game is played outdoors, reminiscent of the old days—supposedly. Regardless, On January 2nd in St. Louis, Missouri, you would do well to have your wedding date scheduled for another day.

NCAA Football Championship 1/9/2017

It used to be that the winner of this event was chosen by insiders, aficionados of the sport. However, that was recently changed when a 4 game playoff was instated. Now, for the first time in NCAA Football Championship history, the game will be played in Tampa Bay, FL on January 9th. So make sure your wedding is not booked in SOFL on that date.

Pro Bowl 1/29/2017

The NFL All-Star game usually takes place in Honolulu, HI on January 29th. However, in an effort to expand its international appeal, the NFL has considered hosting the game in Brazil. Unfortunately, the league has not made a decision where to host the game yet. Houston has been mentioned as well, but the date is set.

2017 NHL All-Star Game 1/29/2017

Hockey’s All-Star game will not draw the kind of crowds or audience as some of the other sports’, but it will still make having or planning a wedding an absolute nightmare is you are trying to do so in Los Angeles, CA on January 29th. This is especially relevant if your ceremony or reception is to be held anywhere near the Staples Center.

Super Bowl 2/5/2017

This is the Mecca of sporting events. The Super Bowl is the most watched show of the year, every year. This means you will not only have to concern yourself on February 5th if your wedding is in Houston, because tens of millions of Americans will be tuning in. Do yourself a favor, and do not pick this day for your wedding—wherever you happen to be.

NBA All-Star Game 2/19/2017

While the Super Bowl may reign supreme for sports championships, the NBA All-Star steals the show for professional sports all-star games. With the three-point competition, the dunk contest, and the all-star game itself, it is not hard to see why. Held in Charlotte, NC on February 19, the event may leech guests away if they are big enough fans.

NASCAR Daytona 500 2/26/2017

Arguablly the biggest NASCAR race of the year will take place February 2017. If you are in the Daytona Beach, FL area that weekend, expect extended traffic times.

World Baseball Classic

Many countries represented with homegrown players. Exact locations and dates TBD. However, expect playing in March 2017. Check the official World Baseball Classic website for up-to-date information.

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, may take place over a three week stretch that begins on March 14th, but it culminates in Phoenix Arizona on April 3rd. However, depending on your region of the country and how well their college teams perform, numerous days may end up being blocked off. Unfortunately, other than the championship, this is a bit of a wait and see situation.

Masters Golf Tournament 4/6-9/2017

Held every year in Augusta, Georgia, this tournament occurs between April 6th-9th. This is the only major golf tournament in the United States, so if you live in or around Augusta, it might be a good day to avoid.

Boston Marathon 4/14/2017

Marathons always wreak havoc on a city’s infrastructure, especially traffic. Unless you want your drive from the church to be glacially paced, best to avoid April 17th. Moreover, considering one of the few successful terrorist attack after September 11th occurred at this race, better safe than sorry.

Kentucky Derby 5/6/2017

This is a 2-day race and kicks off the major horse racing championship series. Still, unless you happen to live near Louisville, KY, you are unlikely to be affected by it. Moreover, the races themselves rarely last more than 2 minutes.

Caribbean Cup 5/18-24/2017

While the venues are yet to be announced, this soccer tournament is likely to take place near the gulf coast. It is notable because the US is not actually a participating member of the soccer league, so hosting the tournament is something of a big deal. It runs from May 18th-24th, but should not cause too many issues.

Indianapolis 500 5/29/2017

This is the most famous Indy car race of the circuit held in the United States. It takes place in Speedway, IN over Memorial Weekend. While not quite as popular as Nascar, this race still draws a large crowd, and weddings in the state are advised to avoid Memorial Weekend as a date if possible.

NBA Finals June 2017

What we do know is that this tournament will take place sometime around early to mid-June. However, the specific dates are impossible to tell at this point, as are the locations which are determined by the teams in the tournament and how quickly they knock out their competition. However, those in Oakland might want to watch out…

Major League Baseball All-Star Game 7/11/2017

The only major event in July, on the 11th to be exact, will be held in Miami, FL to commemorate the Miami Marlins stadium which was built in 2012. This is the second major event in SOFL, and might be the third depending on the venues chosen for the Caribbean Games.

US Open 8/28/2017 – 9/11/2017

Held in New York, NY between August 28th to September 11th, this is the only major tennis tournament held in the United States and it regularly draws huge crowds and slews of celebrities. However, different days and matches will be more popular than others, so seeding and brackets will be important. Unfortunately, that means you will have to wait and see or avoid it altogether.

World Rowing Championships 9/24/2017 – 10/1/2017

Another SOFL event—maybe if you live in SOFL, you should leave the state to get married…just kidding—this tournament takes place between September 24th to October 1st.

World Beach Games 9/27/2017 – 10/9/2017

San Diego was unanimously approved by the international body the ANOC to host the inaugural World Beach Games between September 27th to October 9th.

New York City Marathon 11/5/2017

Again, this will likely cause delays with traffic and potentially mess up receptions at various hotels on November 5th, but it should otherwise not cause any serious issues.

World Series (End of Oct to beginning of November)

This is somewhat unpredictable as the specific dates depend on who is in the game and how long it takes them to get there. Moreover, the games are played at the competitors’ stadiums, so a specific location is unknowable as well. However, it is certain that the games take place in late October, so baseball fans might want to keep their calendar open.

Some of these events will cause bigger issues when picking out 2017 wedding dates than others, but you should be aware of all of them-especially if you live in on of the hosting cities. July and August, while a bit balmy depending on your part of the country, generally have the fewest big sporting event that may clash with the date of your big day.

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About Matthew Campbell

Matt Campbell is the founder/webmaster of My Wedding Songs. He has DJ’d hundreds of weddings and enjoys celebrations. He lives in the wedding capital of the world, Las Vegas, with his wife Sharon. Matt attends several meetups including Vegas Wordpress Meetup, Las Vegas Bloggers Meetup and LV Wedding Chamber of Commerce Events.